CASSOPOLIS — A Dowagiac teenager’s decision to send naked pictures of himself to underage girls can be viewed as a lesson on the potential dangers of modern technology.

Austin Repoza, 19, was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to register as a sex offender Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Repoza pleaded guilty in March to several charges stemming from when he used a cell phone to take a nude picture of himself before sending the image to two minor girls, ages 13 and 14, in June of last year.

“If you decide to post it — it gets out,” said Kirk Metzger, assistant prosecutor. “Hopefully it is also a cautionary tale for others.”

Repoza, who had no run-ins with the law prior to this incident, apologized to the victims and their families.

“I feel like all I did was bring shame to my name and embarrassment to me and my family,” he said prior to sentencing.

A psychological examination determined Repoza was not likely to reoffend or pose a continuing threat to minors in the future.

Sentencing guidelines for Repoza were zero to 17 months.

Judge Michael Dodge determined probation was enough punishment for Repoza in addition to him having to register as a sex offender.

“You are paying a pretty stiff price for your lapse of judgment,” Dodge said.

“I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a permanent setback for you.”

Repoza was charged with using a computer to commit a crime, accosting children and distributing obscene matter to a minor.